Virginia Tech researchers have developed degradable polymers with a new molecular architecture that combines strength, toughness, flexibility, and oxygen-blocking properties. The findings have implications for food packaging, which could lead to more sustainable and durable materials.
A study found that feeding and watching birds positively impacts people's well-being, reducing stress and increasing feelings of joy, gratitude, and calm. The activity also fosters engagement and a sense of meaning, as participants feel they are connecting with nature and contributing to science.
Scientists at Virginia Tech have designed two types of degradable adhesives: one made from lipoic acid that outperforms duct tape, and another with a bottlebrush polymer that is four times stronger. Both can be broken down into their original components within minutes, making them ideal for recyclable applications.
Researchers identified microRNA-224 as a promising treatment target for pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare disease that damages the blood vessels in the lungs and strains the heart. Blocking the molecule reversed key signs of the disease in animal models, improving blood vessel function and heart performance.
Researchers developed sensors to detect Sclerotinia blight in peanut plants, providing early warning for treatment. The sensors can detect oxalic acid, a chemical produced by infected plants, and have been validated in greenhouse trials.
Researchers aim to identify biological differences among patients to guide treatment with precision therapeutics and computational approaches. The goal is to improve treatment outcomes for schizophrenia, a condition that affects perception of reality.
The researcher will investigate how infected cells live and die, and what chemical signals they release to surrounding cells. This work could lead to better antiviral drugs and virus-based cancer treatments.
A new study from Virginia Tech scientists reveals the complex relationship between temperature, photoperiod, and bear hibernation behavior. The research found that temperature and day length interact to shape hibernation behavior, potentially disrupting climate-driven changes in hibernation timing.
Researchers have developed an oral therapy that protects healthy tissue from radiation while preserving radiation's ability to destroy cancer cells. The therapy, called XOlacta, is packaged in milk-derived extracellular vesicles and can be administered orally, reducing damage to tissues and preserving tumor treatment effectiveness.
A Virginia Tech study reveals that multiple CD4 T-cell populations work together to control Cryptococcus neoformans, a deadly fungus that causes meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. The finding could lead to new preventive treatments that target a coordinated network of immune cells.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a wearable microneedle patch called the iNal patch that can detect fentanyl in the body and automatically release naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. The patch uses porous silica nanoparticles loaded with naloxone, which is released when fentanyl levels are detected.
Researchers analyzed millions of high-frequency turbidity measurements to reconstruct daily sediment movement, revealing a major shift: Rivers are becoming more 'bursty', with a 20-day decrease in the time it takes to transport 90% of their annual sediment. This change can overwhelm water treatment systems and damage aquatic habitats.
Researchers discovered that bacteriophages play a critical role in distributing nutrients, promoting microbial diversity, and supporting gut health by releasing vitamin B12. The study found that phage infection is necessary for B12 release, and the nutrient specifically drives growth in dependent microbes.
Researchers at Virginia Tech develop process to strip chlorine from PVC and produce synthetic lubricant-based oils. The new method converts discarded PVC into a key lubricant ingredient, offering a potential solution to two environmental challenges: recycling difficult-to-process plastics and producing valuable industrial materials.
Research investigates how bioactive molecules in human milk shape infant metabolism and informs formula development.
A Virginia Tech team analyzed over 1,000 storm surge events to identify distinct patterns that depend on both storm characteristics and coastal geography. The findings could help engineers design infrastructure to withstand unique flood timelines and support better planning and decision making for coastal communities.
A team of researchers successfully measured pollen dispersal from a genetically engineered switchgrass crop using ground samplers, drones, and simulations. They established a modeling methodology for future prediction, which can help improve strategies for managing pollen movement and forecasting airborne allergens.
Researchers have identified a natural protective protein called BMP3 that helps maintain healthy lung blood vessels. Increasing BMP3 levels in preclinical models of pulmonary arterial hypertension reversed key features of the disease, including damaged blood vessels and impaired heart function.
Scientists have discovered a new approach to treating genetic brain disorders by redirecting brain development. The therapy helps at-risk neurons grow and connect more normally, strengthening connections among existing neurons and restoring cognitive function.
Researchers used Landsat thermal infrared imagery to study river temperatures over 250 dams in the US, finding temperature differences in 71% of observations and varying impacts based on dam type and season. This new approach can help better understand freshwater ecology and water resource management.
A new study identifies five audience 'classes' based on people's perceptions of scientists' credibility, including enthusiasts, optimists, moderates, skeptics, and estranged. Researchers found that public estimates of scientific credibility differ depending on the topic and audience class.
Researchers developed an AI model to optimize water usage in agriculture and semiconductor manufacturing. The model identifies cause-and-effect relationships between water availability, crop needs, and industrial expansion, generating recommendations for each state.
A team of researchers, led by Ying Zhang, has developed artificial intelligence-driven tools to identify and attack software vulnerabilities. By teaching AI to generate proof-of-concept exploits, developers can see exactly how attackers could exploit known flaws, motivating them to fix issues before malicious actors do.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers found that physically active children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome experienced less fatigue. Parents reported similar results, highlighting the importance of physical activity for long-term health outcomes in children with developmental disabilities.
A new Virginia Tech study finds that patterns of repetitive negative thinking can carry anxiety into deeper distress among dementia caregivers, but also suggests that mindfulness training may help identify and interrupt this progression. Researchers also found that introducing mindfulness early on can aid in managing stress before it d...
Computer scientists have developed a new AI tool called RNAbpFlow that can map RNA structures with high accuracy, rivaling Google's AlphaFold 3. The method uses flow matching and can generate complete 3D structures from scratch, making it useful for drug discovery and targeting specific RNA folds.
Ionut Farcas uses reduced modeling to simulate plasma physics, reducing computation time from days to seconds. This enables real-time control and decision making in nuclear fusion devices.
A new study by Meike van der Heijden challenges the long-held assumption that activity in easily measured cerebellar cells like Purkinje cells can reliably predict signals in deeper brain regions linked to dystonia, ataxia, and tremor. The research found no significant correlation between Purkinje cell and deep nuclei cell activity.
A pair of grants aims to simplify wildlife management by integrating multiple species into a single plan, reducing redundancies and expanding effectiveness. The research focuses on managing entire ecosystems rather than individual species, using technologies like monitoring tools and multi-objective optimization.
A new study investigates whether obesity contributes to faster brain aging and earlier memory decline. Researchers found that high K63 polyubiquitination levels in young obese rats matched those seen in older brains, suggesting a connection between obesity-induced and age-related memory loss.
Researchers reconstructed millipede evolution history, tracing origins to nearly 460 million years ago. They also discovered that one group of millipedes may have developed chemical defenses 260 million years ago.
In a groundbreaking study, ordinary pet dogs and their owners excelled at finding spotted lanternfly egg masses, with teams outperforming trained human searchers by over 2:1 in dense vegetation. The research demonstrates the potential of community dog-handler teams as an early detection force to combat the invasive pest's spread.
A Virginia Tech study found that female brains use a molecular process not seen in male brains to form fear memories. The researchers suggest that treatments for PTSD may need to be tailored differently for men and women. The discovery could lead to better understanding of PTSD and more effective treatments.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an 'acoustic atom' that traps and controls sound waves in ways that mimic real atoms. This breakthrough could influence technologies connected to quantum AI, telecommunication, medical imaging, GPS, and more.
Researchers from Virginia Tech found that airborne particles have an outer alkaline shell, contradicting the traditional view of uniform droplets. This discovery has significant implications for understanding air quality and climate change.
Scientists discovered that oxygen levels in shallow oceans declined about 8 million years before the end-Triassic mass extinction, stressing marine ecosystems. The research provides a rough guide for the future as our oceans undergo acidification and deoxygenation.
Researchers found that yellow fever mosquitoes can learn to associate the smell of DEET with food, leading to a significant reduction in their repellent effect. The study suggests that the timing and concentration of DEET application may be more crucial than previously thought.
Researchers found that smaller tetraploid cancer cells are more aggressive and tumorigenic, associated with worse prognosis and lower survival rates in several cancer types. This discovery challenges the conventional understanding of tetraploidy's role in cancer progression.
A Virginia Tech study found that AI image generators consistently produce more realistic and recognizable images of larger metropolitan areas than smaller towns. The research raises questions about how generative artificial intelligence tools portray places and whose communities are most visible online.
Researchers identified a key protein called PERM1 that is restored in patients whose hearts recover after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. PERM1 regulates energy production and contractile function in heart cells, and its normalization is associated with improved cardiac function.
Researchers found that restricting menthol in cigarettes reduced cigarette purchases, while flavor restrictions in e-cigarettes increased nicotine replacement product sales. Tax policies also showed promise, with the highest-tax approach leading to significant reductions in spending.
Researchers discovered that simple artificial intelligence tools can bypass security techniques meant to protect authentic content from use in deepfakes and facial identity theft. The study found that attackers can easily defeat existing image protection using off-the-shelf AI models and simple commands.
A National Institutes of Health grant supports Mary Elizabeth Baugh's research into how metabolic health influences brain systems that shape eating behaviors. The study aims to understand the interactions between metabolic signals and brain circuits engaged in everyday learning and eating behavior.
A new study from Virginia Tech found that task switching in transplant surgeries increases one-year mortality rates by 14.8 percent, highlighting the need for efficient scheduling and workflow changes to minimize risks. The research also suggests that recovery time and surgeon experience level can mitigate these effects.
Researchers identified blocking ID1 and ID3 as a promising therapeutic strategy to halt and reverse lung scarring in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The approach showed significant reduction in lung scarring and improvement in lung function across multiple experimental systems.
A study published in Cells suggests that declining estrogen levels alter epigenetics, which may explain the rise in heart disease risk after menopause. The researchers identify a potential link between estrogen loss and changes in cardiovascular health.
Research by Virginia Tech researcher Phil Thompson and his colleagues found that when managers frame work problems as potential losses, employees are more likely to take action. Framing something as a loss yields employees to voice a work suggestion more than framing them as gains. This approach can influence employees' motivation to s...
A team at Virginia Tech developed a water-based process to create multilayer bioplastic films that are both high-performing and easier to manufacture. The method avoids toxic solvents and matches current industrial production speeds, making it viable for real-world use.
Elif and Alp Tural teach interior designers to consider how spaces affect users every day, emphasizing trauma-informed design and visual accessibility. Their approach aims to create legible and comfortable environments that respond to users' needs.
Artificial intelligence models provide personalized advice, but may perpetuate negative stereotypes about people with autism. Researchers found that up to 70% of the time, AI discourages those with autism from socializing.